Toothbrush holder



Dec. 31, 1946. G. A. GIBSON, JR

TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Filed June 10, 1944 &1

Patented Dec. 31, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER,

George A. Gibson, Jr., New York, N. Y.

Application June 10, 1944, Serial No. 539,767

6 Claims.

This invention relates to holders of the type designed to hold a plurality of articles at a time, and to means for movably and detachably mounting the articles in the holder. More particularly the invention relates to a holder for supporting a plurality of tooth brushes or like articles arranged in regular order one in rear of the other and in such manner as to adapt the articles for movements to an advanced position for successi e removal and use. The invention further relates to novel means on the tooth brush or article for movably supporting it on the holder, and to novel means for mounting a spool of dental floss or other accessory on the holder and which may also serve as a reminder of dental or other engagements made or to be made.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates two forms of embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of one form of holder of the character described embodying the invention and showing a plurality of tooth brushes supported in position thereby for successive removal and use.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the parts illustrated in. Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the holder taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of the holder, but looking toward the opposite end thereof and showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but with the floss spool housing and reminder device shown in longitudinal section, taken, for example, on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3, showing a further modification.

The present invention has for a main object the provision of a holder for a plurality of articles, such as tooth brushes, which are in daily use and which, in case of tooth brushes or like articles, for example, should after each use be allowed to thoroughly dry before being again used. The present for dental floss or the like with means for clamping an end of the floss thread in position to be readily gripped for the drawing out of a desired amount of thread. The invention further has for an object the provision of a ready reminder, which may be formed by the parts of the floss receptacle, which are relatively movable or adjustable and provided with date indicating marks or indicia, whereby dates on which appointments with dentists or others have been made may be kept in view of the user of the brush holder.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the brush holder comprises a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a supporting trackway extending therebetween, whereby the free ends of the handles of brushes having supporting means to rest and travel on the trackway may be introduced into the holder so as to be suspended therefrom and mounted for travel on the trackway and removed one by one in successive order from the holder. The holder and/or its trackway may be inclined to the horizontal to adapt the brushes to travel by gravity be tween the inlet and outlet and successively come into position for removal. Detents of resilient type are preferably provided at the inlet and outlet of the holder to prevent possible casual displacement of the brushes from the holder through either the inlet and outlet, while permitting ready withdrawal of the brush in position for extrac tion through the outlet only. Thus the brushes may be inserted only at the inlet end and may be removed only at the outlet end. The floss holder and reminder when provided on the device are arranged for convenient use and inspection as a desirable auxiliary service feature. The brushes employed may be specially constructed and provided with special supporting means to engage the trackway, or a supporting means of a different special type adapted to be mounted in the usual suspension hole in the handle of a tooth brush may be provided so that brushes of ordinary construction may be used.

It is a well known fact that the bristles of a dry brush are stiffer and will do a better cleaning job than those of a brush which is not allowed to dry thoroughly after using. It is also true that less frequent use of the individual tooth brush preserves the brush and increases the number of times it may be used with good results. Since a day or two is required for a tooth brush to dry thoroughly, the most practical way is to have several brushes and use them in rotation. It is not easy to follow this plan, however, by depending on identifying marks or color or by disposing a. certain brush to be used at a, certain time in a certain place. My invention overcomes these objections and provides means for supplying dry brushes for use at all times.

It will be understood that the foregoing description, and the following detailed description as well, are exemplary and explanatory of the invention, but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiments of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawing, Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, illustrate a holder l and a plurality of articles 2, such as tooth brushes, supported by the holder for individual and successive removal and use. As embodied, the holder I is in the form of an oblong rectangular back plate 3 carrying at the front thereof a hollow or channeled oblong rectangular holder body or casing 4, the interior portion or channel of which provides a holding chamber and passageway 5.

The body i, which is closed at its back by the plate 3, comprises a front or face plate or wall 6, a top plane or wall I, a bottom plate or wall 8 and an end wall 9. The wall 9 is located at the outlet end of the holder and forms a stop at that end, the opposite or inlet end ll) of the holder being normally open. The wall I is relatively shorter than the holder and extends from the inlet end If toward the end 9 to a point just beyond the transverse center of the holder and thus terminates in spaced relation to the wall 9,

the holder being open at its top and preferably 7 cut away at an angle between the walls 9 and 8 to provide an outlet ll. The wall 8, on the other hand, is coextensive in length with the holder and is bifurcated or formed with a guide slot 12 extending from the inlet end I ii to and through the wall 9. wall 8 provides a supporting surface and trackway in the form of a pair of parallel track rails separated by the guide slot I2.

In practice it is preferred to provide the holder with means for preventing accidental displacement of the supported ends of the articles 2 from the passageway 5 either through the inlet IE! or outlet i l, while permittin ready introduction of the articles, one by one, through the inlet l and their removal, one by one, through the outlet H. To this end I have shown a simple type of means for the purpose comprising a spring metal strip 53 fixed to the wall 1 and having bent end portions id and I5, the former extending at a downward and forward angle into the inlet H) and the latter being arranged to. overlie the outlet II. The end I l partly closes the inlet 10 and. forms a resilient guard or detent which will yield to allow the supporting ends of brushes to be entered into the passageway through the inlet lt, but will prevent their backward movement or withdrawal through the inlet. The end 15, on the other hand, normally closes the outlet ll against the accidental displacement of the brush ends therethrough, but is adapted to yield on a manual upward movement of a brush at the forward end of the holder to permit the brush to be removed.

The back plate 3, as shown, is of relatively larger area than the casing 4 so as to project By this construction the beyond all portions thereof and of such size as to adapt it to serve as an attaching plate to firmly and securely mount the holder on a wall or other suitable supporting surface. This plate is formed at the corners thereof with openings 6 for the passage of fastening devices to secure it in position. The casing 4 is preferably disposed on the plate 3 at an angle to the horizontal so that the trackway 8 is inclined downwardly between the inlet and outlet to adapt the supported articles or brushes to travel by gravity toward the outlet, and so that the foremost one will always be in position for removal through the outlet. The back plate and casing may be formed in practice of separate parts fastened together, or as shown in the present instance may be formed as a unit of metal, a plastic material or any other suitable material.

The articles or brushes 2, of which the handle portions ll only are shown, are provided at the free ends of the handle with supporting or carrier means adapting them to be suspended from and to travel on the trackway 8. A handle of special construction, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, nay be provided for the purpose, or, as shown in Fig. 7, a supporting or carrier means may be provided for attachment to a conventional brush handle so that ordinary brushes may be used. As embodied in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, each handle is shown as provided at its free end with a relatively reduced and flattened portion i8 which may be of generally circular formation and provided with the usual suspension opening 59 whereby it may, when desired, be suspended from any suitable support. Preferably the reduced portion I8 of the brush handle is wider than the remainder of the brush so that the brushes are spaced from each other as they are held in the holder. This flattened portion is of a thickness somewhat less than the width of the guide slot I2 so as to adapt it to extend through and travel in said slot. At or near its extreme end the portion 18 is provided with a supporting or carrier head or enlargement 20, which is of circular or other suitable shape and formed of parts projecting laterally from each side of the portion l8 and adapted to rest and travel upon the spaced rails of the trackway 8. While the supporting or carrier head 28 is shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, as being formed as an integral part of the brush handle and adapted to slide on the trackway, it is obvious that the head might be formed independent of the handle and attached thereto and constructed so as to roll instead of slide on the trackway. In Fig. '7 I have shown a modified construction of carrier head 23, formed independently of the brush handle 2 and comprising a spindle 2! carrying end rollers 22 to rest and travel on the track rails. This spindle is shown as extending through and journaled in the suspension opening IQ of an ordinary brush handle, adapting an ordinary type of brush to be used, but the spindle of the head 23 may be mounted in a special opening in a handle end which is also provided with a suspension opening. This type of head 20', for example, may be substituted for the integral head 20 by mounting its spindle in a special opening formed in the flattened end portion 18. I

It may be assumed that the holder as constructed, as shown in Fig. 1, to support three brushes to be used in rotation or regular order on successive days, giving ample time for each brush after use to thoroughly dry out before it is used again. These brushes are suspended from the holder, into which they may be introduced in an obvious manner, with their portions l8 projecting through the slot and their carrier heads resting on the trackway. When the forward brush of the series is withdrawn in an obvious manner through the outlet H' for use, the remaining brushes will travel forward so that the succeeding brush of the series will be brought into position for removal. After use the brush removed may be restored to the holder through the inlet so that at the time it reaches a position for withdrawal it will have become thoroughly dry. With this arrangement each brush may first be used in a dry state to brush the teeth before it is wetted and used with a dentifrice or cleaned before restoration to the holder.

I preferably provide the holder with means for storing a supply of dental floss for use and for reminding the user of engagements made or to be made. As embodied, a receptacle 23 of cylindrical form and open at one end is mounted on the holder. This receptacle is of a size to conveniently receive a spool 24 of dental floss. The open end of the receptacle is normally closed by a cover member 25 having an opening 26 through which the free end of the floss thread may be extended and exposed, and also having a spring clamp 2'! for clamping the end of the thread in position so that the same may be conveniently grasped in drawing out a portion of the floss for use. The cover is provided with a split resilient flange 28 rotatably mounting it on the receptacle and normally frictionally holding it from outward displacement or rotation. The cover is also provided with an indicating band 29 rotatable about the receptacle and date indicia, such as the months of the year, adapted to be successively brought by rotation of the cover into registry with an arrow or other suitably designated indicating mark, as shown in Fig. 5, on the receptacle, whereby the user of the holder is provided with a simple and efiicient type of ready reminder for reminding him of dates of engagements made or to be made. Preferably the cover member 25 is provided with a central concavity over which the floss lies so that it may be more conveniently grasped to draw it from the package.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific constructions shown and described, but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of th appended claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder of the character described comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet and means defining a passageway between the inlet and outlet, comprising a trackway extending between the inlet and outlet for travel thereon of articles having supporting portions adapted to be disposed in the passageway, retaining means guarding the inlet and operative to permit the supporting portions of articles to enter the passage and to prevent their withdrawal through the inlet, and retaining means at the outlet to prevent casual displacement of the supporting portions of the articles through the outlet while permitting of their manual withdrawal therethrough.

2. A holder of the character described comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet and means defining a passageway between the inlet and outlet, comprising a trackway extending between the inlet and outlet for travel thereon of articles having supporting portions adapted to be disposed in the passageway, retaining means guarding the inlet and operative to permit the supporting portions of articles to enter the passage and to prevent their withdrawal through the inlet, and spring detents at the outlet to prevent casual displacement of the supporting portions of the articles through the outlet while permitting of their manual withdrawal therethrough.

3. A holder of the character described comprising a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and

a passageway extending between the inlet and outlet, an article supporting trackway supported by said casing extending along the passageway and having a guide slot communicating with the inlet and outlet, a detent at the inlet adapted to permit articles to be entered and to prevent their withdrawal through the inlet, and a detent at the outlet movable outwardly to permit withdrawal of articles through the outlet.

4. A holder of the character described comprising a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending on an inclined plane downwardly from the inlet to the outlet, a correspondingly inclined article supporting trackway supported by said casing extending along the passageway and having a guide slot communicating with the inlet and outlet, a detent at the inlet adapted to permit articles to be entered and to prevent their withdrawal through the inlet, and a detent at the outlet movable outwardly to permit withdrawal of articles through the outlet.

5. A holder of the character described comprising a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced guiding members forming an inlet end, an outlet end, and a track surface extending between said ends for travel thereon of articles having supporting portions adapted to be supported by said surface, retaining means guarding the inlet and operative to permit the supporting portions of articles to enter the inlet and to prevent their withdrawal through the inlet, and retaining means at the outlet to prevent casual displacement of the supporting portions of the articles through the outlet while permitting of their manual withdrawal therethrough.

6. A holder of the character described comprising a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced guiding members inclined to the horizontal forming an inlet end, an outlet end, and

.a track surface extending between said ends for travel thereon of articles having supporting portions adapted to be supported by said surface, retaining means guarding the inlet and operative to permit the supporting portions of articlesto enter the inlet and to prevent their withdrawal through the inlet, and retaining means at the outlet to prevent casual displacement of the supporting portions of the articles through the outlet while permitting of their manual withdrawal therethrough.

GEORGE A. GIBSON, JR. 

